Device for removing slack from a safety belt



June 21, 1966 A. G. CARTER DEVICE FOR REMOVING SLACK FROM A SAFETY BELT Filed Jan. 13, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. A NDREW G. CARTER BY June 21, 1966 A. ca. CARTER DEVICE FOR REMOVING SLACK FROM A SAFETY BELT Filed Jan. 13, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ANDREW 6. CARTER BY 9. W H HZ June 21, 1966 A. s. CARTER DEVICE FOR REMOVING SLACK FROM A SAFETY BELT Filed Jan. 15, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. ANDREW 6. CARTER BY 3,257,147 DEVICE FOR REMOVING SLACK FROM A SAFETY BELT Andrew G. Carter, 2930 Lake Drive SE.,

Grand Rapids, Mich. Filed Jan. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 337,299

' 4 Claims. (Cl. 297-388) .This invention relates to safety belts. A frequent objection to the use. of these belts centers in the tendency of the disconnected sections of the belt to fall to the floor of the vehicle and become soiled. The next use of the belt obviously applies the accumulation of soil to the clothing of the user of the belt. Even if the belt sections do not fall completely to the floor, they tend to assume random positions on the seat-when not in use. The next occupant finds himself sitting on the buckle section, or otherwise interfering with the belt because portions of it are underneath him. 4

Another problem that has faced the manufacturers of safety belt equipment is the provision of a length adjustment which is easy enough to operate that the user will eliminate unnecessary slack. Obviously, any slack in the belt will decrease the'retention of the occupant in an accident. The average user, however, apparently cannot be expected to take the time and care to make the length adjustment associated with the girths of different occupants, or different seat positions.

This invention provides a biased system for reeling in the slack of a safety belt, and then locks the belt against extension until released. The coupling of the buckle sections is also made easier by the large amount of slack that immediately becomes available on the release of the locking action. The buckle sections can be brought togetherin full view of the user without interference from clothing. When properly engaged, the occupant can sim ply drop the buckle into his lap. The take-up device will then automatically draw the belt into the required degree of tension, and lock it in that condition with sufficient security to withstand the forces involved in a crash. On disengagement of the buckle sections, the belt is simply reeled in to a pre-determined position at the side of the user, and the unit will always be ready for his grasp at the same place. I Y

In the preferred form of the invention, a take-up device is provided in conjunction with both of the belt sections. If desired, both of these could be lockable, but a more economical arrangement follows from the use of a mere biasing device of one buckle section, with a lockable feature incorporated in the opposite buckle section. If this arrangement is used, the take-up biasing of the lockable device should be strong enough to overcome the biasing effect on the opposite belt section. If this is not arranged in this manner, it becomes necessary for the occupant to manually pull the belt in the direction of the lockable device to completely remove the belt accumulation on the non-lockable unit.

In summary, the lockable take-up device provided by the preferred form of the invention includes a spool with a peripheral .anchor for engaging a loop of belt. Both of the resulting portions of the belt (the opposite side-s of the loop) are together wrapped around the spool. A bail is arranged to bear on the belt on one side of the spool, and a rotative biasing action between the bail and spool will cause the belt to be wound upon the spool. The take-up device is then suspended at an intermediate position between the oppositely-extending sections forming the loop.

1 The locking action which prevents extension until a release is actuated merely blocks the relative rotation between the bail and the spool. Tension between the opposite belt ends will therefore produce a more and more violent United States Patent tendencyv for the bail to engage the belt, but it is entirely practical and feasible to construct .a device along this principle which will have the capability of withstanding the stresses resulting from several thousand pounds of belt tension.

The several features of the invention will be analyzed in further detail through a discussion of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a lockable take-up device constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an axial section of the device shown in FIGURE 1, on an enlarged scale, in the locked condition.

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the device shown in FIG- URE 2.

' FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the device shown in FIGURE 1, in the release position.

FIGURE 5 is a section taken on the plane 55 of FIG- URE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an exploded view showing the manner of assembling the sleeve, the end plugs, and the retainer bar of the prefererd' form of the invention.

FIGURE 7 shows the preferred pattern of tooth formation of the end plug and the clutch member to provide a ratchet action.

FIGURE 8 isa plan view of a non-locking take-up device.

FIGURE 9 is an end view of the unit shown in FIG- URE 8, on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 10 is an axial section showing the construction of the device illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9.

Referring to FIGURES 1 through 7, inclusive, the illustrated lockable take-up device includes a spool generally indicated at 20 formed by the hollow sleeve 21 and the end-plugs 22 and 23. Both of these end-plugs have central openings traversed by the opposite axial portions 24 and 25 of the bail 26. This bail is preferably constructed as shown from opposite U sections, with one leg The opposite legs 27 and 28 are axially aligned, and are joined by the tube 29 in a press fit, or otherwise rigidly secured.

The spool 20 is rotatably mounted with respect to the bail 26, but such relative rotation can be prevented by the action of the clutch member 30. The portion 24 of the bail 26 is provided with a flat shown at 31, and the clutch member 30 has a central opening conforming to the cross-section of the portion 24 at this point. The clutch member 30 is therefore slidable along the portion 24, but non-rotatable with respect thereto. The clutch member 30 and the end plug 22 have interengagable teeth as shown at 32 and 33 in FIGURE 7. A spring 34 urges the clutch member 30 axially along the portion 24 of the bail to a position in which the teeth 32 and 33 are interengaged, thus locking the spool against relative rotation with respect to the bail in the direction against which the teeth are inclined. A torsion spring 35 applies a torsional biasing action in an opposite direction which will tend to rotate the spool in the direction permitted by the slant of the teeth 33 and 32, accompanied by reciprocating axial movement of the clutch member 30. The relative strength of the springs 34 and 35 should be selected to permit this function to take place. It should be noted that the functions of the springs 34 and 35 can easily be provided in a single spring by proper design. Since the functions themselves are separate, however, they are treated herein as the action of two different springs. The

spring 35 is fixed with respect to the end plug 23 by inserting the spring end 36 through a suitable axial hole, and then applying a tool in the radial hole 37, which will clinch the spring end in position. The same arrangement Patented June 21, 1966 3 is provided at the opposite end of the spring 35, where the end 38 engages an axial hole in the clutch member 30, and the end is clinched through access provided by the hole 39.

The belt 40 is retained in engagement with the device by the action of the bar 41, which extends along adjacent periphery of the spool 20. The interengagement of the bar 41 with the spool components is best shown in FIG- URE 6. The sleeve 21 has axially-aligned slots 42 and 43, which are engaged by the ends 44 and 45 of the bar 41. The slot 43 is of substantial length, and the returnbent portion46 of the bar 41 is adapted to maintain retention with the sleeve 21 under all conditions in which the opposite and shorter return bent portion 4-7 is in its assembled position. The bar 41 may therefore be slid upwardly, as shown in FIGURE 6, to permit the engagement of the portion 47 with the sleeve 21. The bar is then moved axially so that the outer extremity of the portion 44 is in approximate alignment with the upper end of the cylinder 21, at which time the end plug 22 is inserted with the keyway 48 engaging the portion 47 of the bar. The resulting assembly not only secures the bar 41 in position but rotatively interlocks the sleeve and the end plug 22. Since the relative rotation of the entire spool assembly is locked by the action of the teeth 33, it is important that such a positive interengagement be maintained. The final insertion of the end plug 22, of course, is not made until the interior components of the device shown in FIGURES 2 and 4 are installed.

The disengagement of the teeth 32 and 33 is'accomplished by the manipulation of the actuator 49. This essentially is a cylindrical button with an elongated opening shown at 50 in the side wall for receiving the bail 26. Actuation of the button 49 by pressure on the end surface 51 will communicate this pressure to the clutch member 30 and axially displace it against the action of the spring 34 to disengage the teeth 32 from the teeth 33. Under these conditions, the spool is free to rotate with respect to the bail, except for the action of the spring 35.

Referring to FIGURES 8, 9, and 10, the non-lockable take-up device includes a spool 52, a bail 53, and a retaining bar 54. These components are essentially similar to the corresponding components of the lockable device shown in FIGURES 1 through 7. The assembly of the bar 54 to the spool involves an essentially similar interrelationship between the sleeve 55, the end plugs 56 and 57, and the ends of the bar 54. A torsion spring 58 has a series of coils of reduced diameter shown at 59, and these are formed to closely register with the D-shaped cross section of the axial portion 60' of the bail 53. This fixes the rotation of that portion of the spring with respect to the bail, and the opposite spring end 61 is formed parallel to the axis of the device, and is received Within a suitable groove in the periphery of the end plug 57. The bail 53 is also preferably formed in the same manner as the bail 26, and includes the opposite U-shaped portions 62 and 63 interconnected by the tubular member 64 The functioning of the device shown in FIGURES 8, 9, and is merely to apply a continuous biasing action tending to wind up slack in the belt section with which the device is associated. It is preferable that the degree of biasing action provided by the spring 58 be sufliciently less than that of the spring 35 of the unit shown in FIG- URES 1 through 7 that the latter unit will cause the unwinding of all of the belt 65 from the device shown in FIGURES 8, 9, and 10, so that all of the belt slack is accumulated in the lockable device of FIGURES 1 through.

7. Under these conditions, a subsequent crash would find the belt in locked condition. The sole function of the non-lockable device would be to reel in the belt after the buckle sections had been uncoupled, so that the associated portion of the belt would be withdrawn to a predetermined position on the seat, and prevented from falling to the floor.

The bail-type take-up devices described herein are conby a sewn loop.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. In combination with a safety belt assembly including first and second belt sections havin interengageable buckle portions, respectively, a device for taking in slack from one of said belt sections comprising:

a hollow spool,

said spool including a sleeve and also including end-plugs providing coaxial openings, respectivey; loop-retaining means extending axially adjacent the periphery of said sleeve;

a bail having axial portions traversing said end-plug openings, respectively, said bail also having a portion parallel with the axis of said spool and spaced outward from the periphery thereof, said spool being rotatable with respect to said bail,

said bail including opposite U-shaped members disposed with one leg of each forming said axial portions, and the opposite legs of each in axial alignment, and also including a tubular member interconnecting said latter axially-aligned legs;

a clutch member slidably and non-rotatably engaging one of said bail axial portions within said spool, said clutch member and the end plug adjacent thereto having interengageable teeth for locking said spool rotatively with respect to said bail in one direction of rotation;

first biasing'means, said first biasing means tending to rotate said spool with respect to said bail in the opposite direction of rotation from the direction of locking previously specified;

an exteriorly accessible actuator traversing said adjacent end-plug opening and extending to said clutch member, and operable to displace said clutch member axially to disengage the teeth thereof from said adjacent end-plug teeth; and

second biasing means, said second biasing means urging said clutch member axially into engagement with said adjacent end-plug.

2. In combination with a safety belt assembly including first and second belt sections having interengageable buckle portions, respectively, a device for taking in slack from one of said belt sections comprising:

a hollow spool,

said spool including a sleeve having axially-opposite notches, and also including end-plugs providing coaxial openings, respectively;

a loop-retaining bar engageable with said notches and said end-plugs and extending axially adjacent the periphery of said sleeve;

a bail having axial portions traversing said end-plug openings, respectively, said bail also having a'portion parallel with the axis of said spool and spaced outward from the periphery thereof, said spool being rotatable with respect to said bail;

a clutch member slidably and non-rotat-ably engaging one of said bail axial portions within said spool, said clutch member and the end plug adjacent thereto having interengageable teeth for locking said spool an exteriorly accessible ac-tuator traversing said ad- I jacent end-plug opening and extending to said clutch member, and operable to displace said clutch member axially to disengage the teeth thereof from said adjacent end-plug teeth,

said actuator having a cylindrical wall provided with an elongated opening receiving a portion of said bail; and

second biasing means, said second biasing means urging said clutch member axially into engagement with said adjacent end-plug.

3. In combination with a safety belt assembly including first and second belt sections having interengageable buckle portions, respectively, a system for taking in slack from said assembly comprising:

a spool receiving one of said belt sections;

loop-retaining means extending axially adjacent the periphery of said spool;

a bail having axial portions engaging said spool, re-

spectively, said bail also having a portion parallel with the axis of said spool and spaced outward from the periphery thereof, said spool being rotatable with respect to said bail;

a clutch member slidably and non-rotatably engaging one of said bail axial portions, said clutch member and said spool having interengageable teeth for looking said spool rotatively with respect to said bail in one direction of rotation;

first biasing means, said first biasing means tending to rotate said spool with respect to said bail in the opposite direction of rotation from the direction of locking previously specified;

an exteriorly accessible actuator operable to separate said clutch member and spool axially to disengage the teeth thereof;

- second biasing means, said second biasing means urging said clutch member axially into engagement with said spool; and

a biased take-up device engaging the other of said belt sections, said device having substantially less biasing action than that of said first biasing means.

4. In combination with a safety belt assembly having first and second belt sections normally interconnected by a buckle device, a system for removing slack from said assembly comprising:

a first take-up device, said first take-up device including a spool receiving one of said belt sections, and also including a member engaging said belt section, said first take-up device having a biasing means tending to rotate said spool with respect to said member and releaseable locking me-ans operable to prevent rotation of said spool with respect to said member; and

a second take-up device, said second take-up device including a spool receiving said other belt section, and a'member engaging said other belt section, and also including biasing means tending to rotate the said spool and member of said second take-up device with respect to each other,

the biasing means of said first take-up device being substantially stronger than the biasing means of said second take-up device.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,657,190 1/1928 Ballou 24-68 2,814,504 11/1957 Campbell 297-388 2,822,595 2/1958 Ruhl 24-170 2,843,335 7/1958 Hoven 297-388 OTHER REFERENCES Roll-a-Belt, Motor Age, 10-1963, page 53.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

J. S. PETRIE, Assistant Examiner. 

4. IN COMBINATION WITH A SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY HAVING FIRST AND SECOND BELT SECTIONS NORMALLY INTERCONNECTED BY A BUCKLE DEVICE, A SYSTEM FOR REMOVING SLACK FROM SAID ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: A FIRST TAKE-UP DEVICE, SAID FIRST TAKE-UP DEVICE INCLUDING A SPOOL RECEIVING ONE OF SAID BELT SECTIONS, AND ALSO INCLUDING A MEMBER ENGAGING SAID BELT SECTION, SAID FIRST TAKE-UP DEVICE HAVING A BIASING MEANS TENDING TO ROTATE SAID SPOOL WITH RESPECT TO SAID MEMBER AND RELEASABLE LOCKING MEANS OPERABLE TO PREVENT ROTATION OF SAID SPOOL WITH RESPECT TO SAID MEMBER; AND A SECOND TAKE-UP DEVICE, SAID SECOND TAKE-UP DEVICE INCLUDING A SPOOL RECEIVING SAID OTHER BELT SECTION, AND A MEMBER ENGAGING SAID OTHER BELT SECTION, AND 